U.S. patent application number 14/563470 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for vehicle position based fueling station reputation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ivan Jauregui Mercado.
Application Number | 20160162957 14/563470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52597498 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160162957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jauregui Mercado; Ivan |
June 9, 2016 |
VEHICLE POSITION BASED FUELING STATION REPUTATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A method provides a rating of a fueling station to a user by
determining, using an apparatus, whether a vehicle is located at a
fueling station. When the vehicle is located at a particular
fueling station, a rating of the particular fueling station is
communicated to a user of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Jauregui Mercado; Ivan;
(Zapopan, MX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52597498 |
Appl. No.: |
14/563470 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/319 ;
705/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0282 20130101;
G06Q 50/01 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G01S 19/51 20060101 G01S019/51; G06Q 50/00 20060101
G06Q050/00 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a rating of a fueling station to a user,
the method comprising the steps of: determining, using an
apparatus, whether a vehicle is located at a fueling station, and
when the vehicle is located at a particular fueling station,
communicating, via the vehicle, a rating of the particular fueling
station to a user of the vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rating is based on a
relationship between fuel price and amount of fuel received at the
particular fueling station.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether
the vehicle is at a fueling station includes comparing the
vehicle's GPS coordinates with a fueling station location
database.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating step includes
displaying the rating on a display of the vehicle.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of displaying includes
using a color coded display.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating step includes
using audio to provide the rating to the user.
7. A method of establishing a rating of a vehicle fueling station
for dispensing fuel, the method comprising the steps of:
determining, using an apparatus, whether a vehicle is located at a
fueling station and if so, identifying the fueling station, based
on at least one input of a user regarding the dispensed fuel,
verifying, in an apparatus, whether an amount of fuel received by
the vehicle is accurate compared to the total price of the fuel,
and providing, with an apparatus, a rating of the fueling station
based on the accuracy.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the verifying step is based on
the input of total fuel price.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising, publishing, by an
apparatus, the rating to a social network.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of verifying includes
obtaining the actual, calculated volume of fuel received by
subtracting a new level of fuel in a tank of the vehicle from a
previous level of fuel in the tank.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a level sensor
in the fuel tank to obtain the levels of fuel.
12. A method of establishing a rating of a vehicle fueling station
for dispensing fuel, the method comprising the steps of:
determining, using an apparatus, whether a vehicle is located at a
fueling station and if so, identifying the fueling station, based
on at least one input of a user regarding the dispensed fuel,
verifying, in an apparatus, whether a volume of fuel received by
the vehicle during refueling is accurate based on a comparison with
an actual, calculated volume of fuel received by the vehicle, and
providing, with an apparatus, a rating of the fueling station based
on the comparison.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the verifying step is based on
the input of fuel received by the vehicle.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising, publishing, by an
apparatus, the rating to a social network.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of verifying includes
obtaining the actual, calculated volume of fuel received by
subtracting a new level of fuel in a tank of the vehicle from a
previous level of fuel in the tank.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising using a level sensor
in the fuel tank to obtain the levels of fuel.
17. A system for providing a reputation of a fueling station, the
system comprising: a control unit constructed and arranged to be
carried by a vehicle, a positioning system for obtaining a position
of the vehicle, a location database containing locations of fueling
stations, a vehicle location circuit constructed and arranged to
compare a current vehicle location obtained from the positioning
system with a fueling station location obtained from the location
database to determine if the vehicle is at a fueling station and,
if so, to identify the fueling station, a ratings database, in
communication with the control unit, containing rating information
fueling stations, such that the control unit can obtain a rating of
the fueling station at which the vehicle is located, and a media
source, associated with the vehicle, for communicating the rating
to a user of the vehicle.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the positioning system is a
global positioning system (GPS).
19. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a verification
processor circuit constructed and arranged to verify a volume of
fuel received from a dispenser at the fueling station, and another
processor circuit constructed and arranged to verify whether the
fuel received is accurate based on a total price of the fuel.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a level sensor in a
fuel tank of the vehicle such that data obtained by the level
sensor can be used by the verification processor circuit.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to providing fueling station
information to a user of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a
system that provides the user with a rating or reputation of a
fueling station where the user's vehicle located and that enables
the user to rate the fueling station.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Based on global positioning systems (GPS) in mobile devices
or in a vehicle, there are many applications that provide a user of
a vehicle the ability to find the nearest fueling station for
refueling and an indication of the prices per gallon for each of
the various blends of fueling at that fueling station. Most fueling
station customers take it for granted that if fueling at the
fueling station is $3.00/gallon and they paid $30 for fueling, that
they received 10 gallons of fueling. This may not be true if the
fueling station is not reputable or if the fuel pump is not
calibrated properly. Also, a non-reputable fueling station may
charge in excess of the local rate for fuel.
[0003] Thus, there is a need to provide a system that provides an
indication of the reputation or integrity of a fueling station
based on the price paid and the volume of fuel received.
SUMMARY
[0004] An objective of the invention is to fulfill the need
referred to above. In accordance with the principles of an
embodiment, this objective is obtained by a method of providing a
rating of a fueling station to a user. The method determines
whether a vehicle is located at a fueling station. When the vehicle
is located at a particular fueling station a rating of the
particular fueling station is communicated to a user of the
vehicle.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment, a method
of establishing a rating of a vehicle fueling station for
dispensing fuel determines whether a vehicle is located at a
fueling station and if so, identifies the fueling station. Based on
at least one input of a user regarding the dispensed fuel, the
method verifies whether an amount of fuel received by the vehicle
is accurate compared to the total price of the fuel. A rating of
the fueling station is provided based on the accuracy.
[0006] In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, a
method establishing a rating of a vehicle fueling station for
dispensing fuel determines whether a vehicle is located at a
fueling station and if so, identifies the fueling station. Based on
at least one input of a user regarding the dispensed fuel, the
method verifies whether a volume of fuel received by the vehicle
during refueling is accurate based on a comparison with an actual,
calculated volume of fuel received by the vehicle. A rating of the
fueling station is provided based on the comparison.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, a
system for providing a reputation of a fueling station includes a
control unit constructed and arranged to be carried by a vehicle. A
positioning system obtains a position of the vehicle. A location
database contains locations of fueling stations. A vehicle location
circuit is constructed and arranged to compare a current vehicle
location obtained from the positioning system with a fueling
station location obtained from the location database to determine
if the vehicle is at a fueling station and, if so, to identify the
fueling station. A ratings database is in communication with the
control unit and contains rating information of fueling stations,
such that the control unit can obtain a rating of the fueling
station at which the vehicle is located. A media source, associated
with the vehicle, communicates the rating to a user of the
vehicle.
[0008] Other objectives, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the
functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination
of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description and
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of
which form a part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is schematic view of a fueling station reputation
system provided in accordance with an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing method steps of an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, a fueling station reputation
system for a vehicle is shown, generally indicated at 10, in
accordance with an embodiment. The system 10 includes a positioning
system 12 such as a global positioning system (GPS) that provides
GPS coordinates of the vehicle to a control unit 14 carried by the
vehicle (not shown). Alternatively, the positioning system 12 can
use Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) or any other
technology to locate the vehicle. The control unit 14 preferably
includes a fueling station database 16. However, the database 16
can be remote from the control unit, with the control unit
accessing the database 16. A vehicle location circuit 18 compares
the current vehicle location from the GPS coordinates with a
fueling station location (from database 16) to determine if the
vehicle is at a fueling station and if so identifies the fueling
station.
[0013] The fueling station identification is preferably based only
on GPS location, not the fueling station name, address or station
number.
[0014] If the vehicle is located at a fueling station, the control
unit 14 polls an Internet ratings database 20 to obtain the
reputation or rating information of this particular fueling station
and communicates this information to the user by a media source
such as a display 22 located in the vehicle or audibly through a
speaker of the vehicle, or by both methods. For example, the
display 22 can show one of three color codes regarding the
reputation or rating of the fueling station. Green can be displayed
when the fueling station has a good reputation considering the
relationship between fueling price and amount of fueling received
(as explained more fully below) based on input from other users.
Yellow can be displayed if the fueling station in not very reliable
based on the above criteria, or Red can be displayed when the
fueling station has a very bad reputation based on the criteria
above, permitting the driver to decide whether to proceed to
another fueling station or fill at this fueling station (if
absolutely necessary to receive fuel now).
[0015] If the user decides to refuel at the fueling station where
the vehicle is presently located, the user may provide at least one
input into the system 10 regarding the dispensed fuel. For example,
the user may input the total amount of money paid (Fuel Price 24)
for the fueling and/or the volume of Fuel Received 26 (and/or the
grade or type of fuel) to the control unit 14. This data is
obtained from the fueling pump or dispenser and is inputted by the
user via a touch screen on the vehicle infotainment system, by
voice commands or any other input methods. A verification processor
circuit 30 verifies the Fuel Received 26. Thus, a previous level of
fuel in the tank is subtracted from the new level of fuel in the
tank, as obtained by fuel level sensor 28 provided in the fuel tank
of the vehicle, to determine an actual, calculated volume of fuel
received. This actual, calculated volume of fuel received is
compared to the volume of Fuel Received 26 in circuit 30. For
example, the dispenser displays Fuel Received as 10 gallons, but
the actual, measured fuel received is 9.7 gallons, then the fueling
station is considered to not be reputable and a rating can be based
thereto as discussed below.
[0016] Alternatively, if only Fuel Price 24 is input by the user,
processor circuit 32 verifies if the Fuel Received 26 is accurate
based on the Fuel Price 24. The current local price per unit of the
particular grade or type of fuel can be obtained from an Internet
price database 33 or other reliable source. The system 10 can
calculate the amount of fuel the vehicle received using data
obtained from the level sensor 28. A rating can then be generated
by the system 10 for the fueling system based on the Fuel Received
26 to Fuel Price 24 accuracy.
[0017] Thus, based on the above analyses, the system 10
automatically provides a rating of the fueling station via rating
processor circuit 34 such as one of the three ratings noted above.
The rating is sent to database 20 so that other users can have
access to the rating. Optionally, the rating can also be sent to an
Internet social network 36. As used herein the term "fuel" can
include gasoline, ethanol blended gasoline, diesel fuel, LPG,
electrical charge, or any other energy source typically used by
vehicles.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the steps or
algorithm is shown for rating a fueling station using the system
described above. In step 38, the GPS 12 determines if a vehicle
located is at fueling station. If so, in step 40, the rating of the
fueling station is communicated to the user audibly or by the
display 22. In step 42, based on the rating, the user can decide
whether to refuel at this fueling station or can proceed to another
fueling station in step 44. If the user wants to contribute to the
rating system, after refueling, in step 44, the user inputs the
total Fuel Price 24 and Fuel Received 26 into the system 10. The
system 10, in step 46, calculates the volume of actual fuel
received from measurements obtained by the level sensor 28 as noted
above. The accuracy of the Fuel Received 26 is verified in step 48
by comparing the volume of Fuel Received 26 to the actual,
calculated volume of fuel received. Based on this accuracy, in step
50, the system 10 automatically rates the fueling station, using,
for example, statistical analysis. In step 52, the database 20 is
updated with the rating and in step 54, the rating can be published
to a social network.
[0019] If electrical charge is the "fuel" for the vehicle, the
system 10 can compare the electrical energy dispensed to the actual
electrical energy received to the rate the fueling station.
[0020] Thus, by updating an external database 20, fueling station
ratings or reputations can be accessible to other users in vehicles
having the system 10. In addition, the ratings can be published on
social networks. The system 10 is simple and eliminates the need
for a user to take out a cell phone and start a mobile application.
Furthermore, conventional cell phone applications do not verify if
the price paid for fuel is for the actual amount of fuel
received.
[0021] The operations and algorithms described herein can be
implemented as executable code within the control unit 14 having
processor circuits 30, 32 and 34 as described, or stored on a
standalone computer or machine readable non-transitory tangible
storage medium that are completed based on execution of the code by
a processor circuit implemented using one or more integrated
circuits. Example implementations of the disclosed circuits include
hardware logic that is implemented in a logic array such as a
programmable logic array (PLA), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA), or by mask programming of integrated circuits such as an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Any of these
circuits also can be implemented using a software-based executable
resource that is executed by a corresponding internal processor
circuit such as a microprocessor circuit (not shown) and
implemented using one or more integrated circuits, where execution
of executable code stored in an internal memory circuit causes the
integrated circuit(s) implementing the processor circuit to store
application state variables in processor memory, creating an
executable application resource (e.g., an application instance)
that performs the operations of the circuit as described herein.
Hence, use of the term "circuit" in this specification refers to
both a hardware-based circuit implemented using one or more
integrated circuits and that includes logic for performing the
described operations, or a software-based circuit that includes a
processor circuit (implemented using one or more integrated
circuits), the processor circuit including a reserved portion of
processor memory for storage of application state data and
application variables that are modified by execution of the
executable code by a processor circuit. The memory circuit can be
implemented, for example, using a non-volatile memory such as a
programmable read only memory (PROM) or an EPROM, and/or a volatile
memory such as a DRAM, etc.
[0022] The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and
described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and
functional principles of the present invention, as well as
illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and
are subject to change without departing from such principles.
Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed
within the spirit of the following claims.
* * * * *